POS1593-HPR GASTROINTESTINAL INVOLVEMENT IS ALREADY REPORTED IN AN ITALIAN VEDOSS COHORT: RESULTS FROM A RHEUMATOLOGICAL NURSE ASSESSMENT
Authors: K. El Aoufy, M. R. Melis, G. Bandini, G. Ghezzi, E. Russo, B. S. Fioretto, E. Romano, A. Amedei, I. Rosa, M. Manetti, S. Guiducci, A. Moggi Pignone, M. Matucci-Cerinic, L. Rasero, Y. Longobucco, S. Bellando-Randone
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is often involved in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), even in the very early diagnosis of SSc (VEDOSS). In SSc, the oesophagus is mainly involved, followed by the anorectum: therefore, the GIT is the second most affected organ system in SSc patients. Patient education performed by rheumatology nurses on GIT symptoms prevention and management can be of help in the disease management, starting from a meticulous data collection. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of our study was to investigate the differences, in VEDOSS and SSc patients of GIT involvement assessed by the UCLA GIT questionnaire administered by rheumatology nurses. <h3>Methods</h3> 50 patients (22 VEDOSS and 28 SSc) from the Scleroderma Unit of Careggi University Hospital were enrolled. Demographic data, Raynaud's phenomenon, autoantibodies, videocapillaroscopy patterns, puffy fingers and digital ulcers were recorded for VEDOSS and SSc patients. GIT symptoms, disability and quality of life were respectively assessed by the administration UCLA GIT 2.0, HAQ and SF36 questionnaires guided by the rheumatology nurse. <h3>Results</h3> Demographic data, Raynaud's phenomenon, autoantibodies, videocapillaroscopy patterns, puffy fingers and digital ulcers manifestations are reported in Table 1 for both groups of patients. Disability and quality of life, respectively assessed by HAQ and SF36 are shown to be more significantly modified in the SSc group than in the VEDOSS (p &lt;0.05), especially the impact of the disease on physical health (p&lt;0.005) (table2). Moreover, VEDOSS patients presented GIT symptoms and pain, assessed by UCLA GIT 2.0 and VAS pain, not different from the SSc group (p &gt;0.05) (Table 2). GIT symptoms and complications such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), malnutrition, diarrhea, constipation, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, occurred in both SSc and VEDOSS groups impairing significantly patients' quality of life. <h3>Conclusion</h3> our data suggest that it is important to consider GIT involvement also in VEDOSS patients. Therefore, a specific assessment of GIT involvement should be always performed in clinical practice. This work also shows that the role of Rheumatology nurses is important as their help in patients' assessment of patients reported outcomes and symptoms becomes pivotal to prepare the patient for the physician's analysis. Thus, recognising the early GIT involvement with a standard screening may lead to shape an early treatment to improve patients' quality of life. <h3>References</h3> [1]Nassar M, Ghernautan V, Nso N, et al. Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis: An updated review. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Nov 11;101(45):e31780 [2]Volkmann ER, McMahan Z. Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis: pathogenesis, assessment and treatment. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2022 Nov 1;34(6):328-336 [3]Cheah JX, Khanna D, McMahan ZH. Management of scleroderma gastrointestinal disease: Lights and shadows. J Scleroderma Relat Disord. 2022 Jun;7(2):85-97 <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> Khadija El Aoufy: None declared, Maria Ramona Melis: None declared, Giulia Bandini: None declared, Giulio Ghezzi: None declared, Edda Russo: None declared, Bianca Saveria Fioretto: None declared, Eloisa Romano: None declared, Amedeo Amedei: None declared, Irene Rosa: None declared, Mirko Manetti: None declared, Serena Guiducci: None declared, Alberto Moggi Pignone: None declared, Marco Matucci-Cerinic Speakers bureau: Consultancy relationship with and/or research funding from and/or speaker for Bayer,Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, CSL Behring, Galapagos, Inventiva,Lilly, MSD, Sandoz, Consultant of: Consultancy relationship with and/or research funding from and/or speaker for Bayer,Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, CSL Behring, Galapagos, Inventiva,Lilly, MSD, Sandoz, Grant/research support from: Consultancy relationship with and/or research funding from and/or speaker for Bayer,Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, CSL Behring, Galapagos, Inventiva,Lilly, MSD, Sandoz, Laura Rasero: None declared, Yari Longobucco: None declared, Silvia Bellando-Randone: None declared.